Tag Archives: Brielle Ansems

Watermark’s 2018 acting company is a great mix of professional actors from PEI, actors with family and professional history on the Island, and actors from across the country. Joining already announced acting company members Brielle Ansems and Robert Tsonos will be husband and wife acting team Geoffrey Pounsett and Madeleine Donohue, Paul Cowling, Richard Beaune, and local actor Jacob Hemphill.

A twenty-year veteran of Canadian theatre, Toronto based actor Geoffrey Pounsett has performed in theatres across the country, has been a company member with both the Stratford and Charlottetown Festivals (“Fire” in 2002), and has appeared in several productions for Canadian Stage, Factory and Tarragon Theatres in Toronto.

Madeleine Donahue appeared in “Midnight Madness” and “Old Wives’ Tales” at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre, preceded by “Deceitful Above All Things” for the Storefront Theatre in Toronto. Other recent work includes “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with the Humber River Shakespeare Company, and five seasons with Driftwood Theatre Group.

This will be actor Paul Cowling’s first time visiting PEI, but he has some history on the Island – his mother’s family settled in Hunter River when they emigrated from Scotland many years ago. Paul has appeared on stage throughout Western Canada in such shows as “I’ll Be Back Before Midnight”, “9 to 5 The Musical”, “Hamlet”, “The Cripple of Inishmaan”, and many others.

Richard Beaune returns to the Watermark after appearing as Friar Laurence in the company’s 2015 production of “Romeo & Juliet”. He has performed in every province and territory across Canada in both official languages over a 30 year career. His work has ranged from Shakespeare (30 professional productions and counting) to new works of physical theatre and all stops in between.

Local PEI actor Jacob Hemphill is in his 3rd year of studying Theatre and Opera Performance at Dalhousie University, in Halifax. His acting credits include “The Sound of Music”, “Peter Pan”, “The Wizard of Oz” (Confederation Centre); “My Fair Lady” (The Grand Theatre); and “The Magic Flute” (Dalhousie Arts Centre).

All of these fine actors will be appearing in “Dial M For Murder” by Frederick Knott and “A Moon For The Misbegotten” by Eugene O’Neill throughout the summer months as well as taking part in the Watermark Play Reading series and most will teach acting classes in the company’s Teenage Acting Conservatory.
A busy summer for all!

Dial M For Murder runs from June 26th to September 1stA Moon for the Misbegotten runs from July 6th to August 31stThe Play Reading Series is on August 4th, 15th, and 22ndThe Teenage Acting Conservatory is from July 23rd to Aug 3rd

For more information, or to set up an interview with any of the actors please contact Andrea Surich at 902-963-3963 or generalmanager@watermarktheatre.com

Local actress to star in “A Moon for the Misbegotten” at Watermark Theatre

Watermark Theatre is delighted to announce that local PEI actress Brielle Ansems has won the coveted lead role of Josie Hogan in A Moon for the Misbegotten after a national audition search.

Raised in Montague, and currently living in Charlottetown, Brielle is a student at the Holland College School of Performing Arts Theatre Program and is also immersed in a burgeoning career as a singer-songwriter here on the Island. Her theatre experience includes “The Island’s Super Duper Fantabulous Holiday Smorgasbord of Joy” at the Confederation Centre of the Arts, “The Princess and the Pea” with The Cat’s Pajamas Theatre Company, and Theatre St. Thomas’ “The Caucasian Chalk Circle”. You may also have seen her in a multitude of shows with White Rose Entertainment’s Feast Dinner Theatres.

Brielle is thrilled to be making her full-season debut at the Watermark, particularly in a role with as much to offer as Josie Hogan. “Josie’s resilience and vulnerability are so real and compelling, and it’s an honour to be able to bring her to life this summer”.

“We held auditions for this role in Charlottetown, Halifax, and in Toronto. We also received video taped auditions submitted from across the country”, says Watermark Artistic Director Robert Tsonos, “Brielle had stiff competition from many very talented actresses from across the country but she did a superb audition and we are thrilled to have her join us this summer”.

A Moon for the Misbegotten by Eugene O’Neill is a unique blend of comedy, tragedy, autobiography, and imagination. A love story set in 1923 between a Broadway actor, Jim Tyrone, and a Connecticut farm girl named Josie Hogan. Josie and her hard drinking Irish father Phil scheme to hold on to the farm they’ve worked for 20 years. When their neighbour, an oil magnate, stakes a claim on their property they do all they can to stop the sale. Under the light of one night’s magical moon A Moon for The Misbegotten plumbs the depth of the human spirit with tremendous redemptive power.
“The finest love story in American dramatic literature” – New York Daily News

Brielle can’t wait to start rehearsals and spend the summer in North Rustico, “I couldn’t be more excited to be cast in this production. O’Neill’s writing is an actor’s dream, and this show is no exception.”

A Moon for the Misbegotten runs from July 6th to August 31st, 2018.

For more information, or to set up an interview with Ms. Ansems please contact Andrea Surich at 902-963-3963 or generalmanager@watermarktheatre.com

Cat’s Pajamas Theatre Company is pleased to announce their production of
“Princess & The Pea”
BY REBECCA L. BYARS AND LANE RIOSLEYpresented by Watermark Theatre, North Rustico P.E.I.4 Shows OnlyThursday August 10th at 10:30AM
Saturday August 12th at 10:30AM
Thursday August 17th at 10:30AM
Saturday August 19th at 10:30AM

“The Cat’s Pajamas Theatre Co. is back at The Watermark with another classic story to tell! The Princess and the Pea is an adaptation of the classic tale in which a young Prince searches far and wide for true love, regardless of his mother, The Queen’s dissatisfaction. This tale is sure to make you giggle as we explore themes of acceptance, true love, and the importance of a good night’s rest!

Suzanne Wilkie is so excited to be directing her first show with The Cat’s Pajamas! She grew up on PEI and after a brief hiatus in Toronto has returned to this beautiful Island. Her favourite place to rehearse in Charlottetown is right smack-dab in the middle of a park. Suzanne loves beach days, coffee dates with friends, and creating fun theatre!Becca Griffin, leader of The Cat’s PJs, is a local entertainer who loves to laugh and play music! You may remember seeing her as the Old Farm Cat or the Mother Duck in last year’s production of “The Ugly Duckling!” Becca loves to practice playing her new ukulele (Marilyn), and singing for strangers on the street.Brielle Ansems is a local singer-songwriter who loves to connect with people through music and theatre. She’s very excited to be heading to Holland College’s School of Performing Arts Theatre Program this fall to further explore the wonderful world of making people feel things.Robyn Veinot is an island girl who loves music and theatre! She also loves spending most of her time with her niece and nephew. You may remember seeing her in The Cat’s Pajamas production of A Hurried History by the Loonies that Live Here! or in the Confederation Centre’s Christmas productions of Robin Hood and Aladdin.